An opinion piece written by Mark Lusby
The partial demolition of the only surviving intact terrace of Old Waterside Street is a loss for the whole city. The Inner City Trust, public agencies, community organisations and private owners are doing great work to conserve individual properties. However we all need to be more ambitious to stop the erosion of Derry’s historic streetscapes and public realm.
The direct value of built heritage is the cultural heritage, architecture, historic environment or originality of the buildings themselves, as well as the sense of identity and pride that people derive from living in an area with built heritage.
REALDANIA
Victoria Hall, Spencer Road
January 2023 saw the completion of the Victoria Hall’s demolition and the laying of the foundations for its replacement. The loss of a striking building which has been part of the streetscape since 1913 drew attention to how much of the Spencer Road is being redeveloped, site by site.
Site information boards show that much redevelopment in the historic core on the west and east banks is being driven by the Department for Communities under its social housing programme. The same department has responsibility for looking after Northern Ireland’s historic environment.
Ashcroft, Belt Road
Ashcroft was located on an elevated site adjacent to the Trench, and provided a heritage reference point when approaching the City on the Glenshane Road or travelling to the new housing estates along the Belt Road. It has been replaced by a petrol filling station and convenience store. An example of not allowing “ heritage to stand in the way of progress”.
Thompson’s, Duke Street
When in 2013, the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society published its ‘Historical Gazetteer to the Buildings of Londonderry”, its author noted the importance of Duke Street: “For a road of little architectural merit it unfortunately dominates the view from the cityside.” This should have focused efforts on consolidating what was left of Old Waterside Street, especially that single terrace between Lower Fountain Street and Spencer Road.
The Malseed Wholesale Grocers group of buildings built after 1870 formed one bookend to terrace at the Lower Fountain Street. These were demolished in 2022 only to be followed last month by their next door neighbour, premises built around 1860 for Alexander Thompson and Co., hardware merchants and grocers. Also demolished was a fine stone built warehouse in the rear yard. The Irish Architectural Archive records that local architect, Daniel Conroy, designed some improvements to buildings in the rear yard in 1906 including stables and warehouses; all now demolished.
Saving Derry’s Streetscapes
2023 comes to an end with fresh news about Derry‘s built heritage:
Let’s hope in 2024, we are all more ambitious about preventing any further erosion in Derry’s historic townscape and the public realm. Our special natural built and environmental heritage is a resource on which to build a prosperous future for the next generation.
Derry people are devoted to their City as a community rather than a place. There is hardly any environmental awareness in the City, no real pressure groups and practically no discussion or debate about major development proposals.
Foyle Civic Trust publication 1989
